Bill C-27: An Act to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act

C-27 Third Session, Fortieth Parliament, 59 Elizabeth II, 2010 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-27 An Act to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act first reading, May 14, 2010 MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD AND MINISTER FOR THE CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD 90556 SUMMARY This enactment amends the Canadian Wheat Board Act by changing the eligibility criteria for voting in the election of directors of the Canadian Wheat Board. It also amends that Act to allow the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, being the Minister designated for the purposes of that Act, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance — instead of the Governor in Council — to establish amounts to be paid, and to authorize and direct that certain payments or transactions be made, by the Canadian Wheat Board. Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca .vis1 {position: absolute;display:block;} .vis2 {position: static;} 3rd Session, 40th Parliament, 59 Elizabeth II, 2010 house of commons of canada BILL C-27 An Act to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: SHORT TITLE Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Canadian Wheat Board Payments and Election Reform Act. R.S., c. C-24 CANADIAN WHEAT BOARD ACT 1998, c. 17, s. 3 2. Subsection 3.02(1) of the Canadian Wheat Board Act is replaced by the following: Explanatory NotesCanadian Wheat Board Act Clause 2: Existing text of subsection 3.02(1): 3.02 (1) Four directors are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister. Ten directors are elected by producers in accordance with sections 3.06 to 3.08 and the regulations. The president is appointed by the Governor in Council in accordance with section 3.09. Notes explicativesLoi sur la Commission canadienne du blé Article 2 : Texte du paragraphe 3.02(1) : 3.02 (1) Quatre administrateurs sont nommés par le gouverneur en conseil sur la recommandation du ministre et dix administrateurs sont élus par les producteurs en conformité avec les articles 3.06 à 3.08 et à leurs règlements d’application. Le président directeur général est nommé par le gouverneur en conseil en conformité avec l’article 3.09. Directors 3.02 (1) Four directors are appointed by the Governor in Council on the recommendation of the Minister. Ten directors are elected, in accordance with sections 3.06 to 3.08 and the regulations, by producers who produced – or were entitled to – at least 40 tonnes of grain in the crop year in which an election occurs or in either of the two previous crop years. The president is appointed by the Governor in Council in accordance with section 3.09. 1995, s. 31, s. 2(1); 1998, c. 17, s. 28(E) 3. (1) Paragraph 32(1)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 3: (1) Relevant portion of subsection 32(1): 32. (1) The Corporation shall undertake the marketing of wheat produced in the designated area in interprovincial and export trade and for that purpose shall ... (b) pay to producers selling and delivering wheat produced in the designated area to the Corporation, at the time of delivery or at any time thereafter as may be agreed on, a sum certain per tonne basis in storage at a pooling point to be fixed from time to time (i) by regulation of the Governor in Council in respect of wheat of a base grade to be prescribed in those regulations, and (ii) by the Corporation, with the approval of the Governor in Council, in respect of each other grade of wheat; Article 3 : (1) Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 32(1) : 32. (1) Il incombe à la Commission de commercialiser, dans le cadre du commerce interprovincial et de l’exportation, le blé produit dans la région désignée. À cette fin, elle : [...] b) paie à ces producteurs, au moment de la livraison ou à une date ultérieure convenue, la somme déterminée par tonne, en magasin à un point de mise en commun, fixée : (i) par règlement du gouverneur en conseil, pour ce qui est du blé du grade de base déterminé par le règlement, (ii) par elle, avec l’approbation du gouverneur en conseil, pour ce qui est des autres grades; (b) pay to producers selling and delivering wheat produced in the designated area to the Corporation, at the time of delivery or at any time after delivery as may be agreed on, a sum certain per tonne basis in storage at a pooling point to be fixed from time to time (i) by the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, in respect of wheat of a base grade, and (ii) by the Corporation, with the approval of the Minister and the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, in respect of each other grade of wheat; 1995, c. 31, s. 2(2); 1998, c. 17, s. 28(E) (2) Subsection 32(2.1) of the Act is replaced by the following: (2) Existing text of subsection 32(2.1): (2.1) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(b.1), the Corporation shall, with the approval of the Governor in Council, establish for each delivery point within the designated area an amount that, in the opinion of the Corporation, fairly represents the difference in the cost of transporting wheat from that point as compared to other delivery points. (2) Texte du paragraphe 32(2.1) : (2.1) Pour l’application de l’alinéa (1)b.1), la Commission doit, avec l’approbation du gouverneur en conseil, établir, pour chaque point de livraison à l’intérieur de la région désignée, un montant qui, à son avis, reflète fidèlement la différence des frais de transport du blé selon le point de livraison à partir duquel il s’effectue. Freight adjustment (2.1) For the purpose of paragraph (1)(b.1), the Corporation shall, with the approval of the Minister and the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, determine for each delivery point within the designated area an amount that, in the opinion of the Corporation, fairly represents the difference in the cost of transporting wheat from that point as compared to other delivery points. R.S., c. 38 (4th Supp.), s. 8; 1998, s. 17, s. 28(E) 4. (1) Subsection 33(1.1) of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 4: (1) Existing text of subsection 33(1.1): (1.1) With the approval of the Governor in Council and subject to such terms and conditions as the Governor in Council may prescribe, in addition to any payment authorized by section 32, the Corporation may fix and pay in respect of any pool period a sum per tonne to each producer who has sold and delivered wheat to the Corporation in a railway car during the pool period. Article 4 : (1) Texte du paragraphe 33(1.1) : (1.1) La Commission peut, avec l’approbation du gouverneur en conseil et aux conditions que celui-ci peut déterminer, fixer le montant à verser pour une période de mise en commun — par tonne et en sus de tout paiement visé à l’article 32 — à chaque producteur qui lui a vendu et livré du blé à un wagon au cours de cette période et payer ce montant à celui-ci. Additional payment (1.1) The Corporation may, with the approval of the Minister and the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, and subject to any terms and conditions on which the approval is given, fix and pay in respect of any pool period a sum per tonne to each producer who has sold and delivered wheat to the Corporation in a railway car during the pool period, in addition to any payment authorized by section 32. 1998, c. 17, s. 28(E) (2) Subsection 33(3) of the Act is replaced by the following: (2) Existing text of subsection 33(3): (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), if the Governor in Council, having regard to a report by the Corporation of the effect on its financial position of an interim payment on account of the distribution of the balance referred to in subsection (2), is of the opinion that an interim payment can be made without loss, the Governor in Council may authorize and direct that payment to be made. (2) Texte du paragraphe 33(3) : (3) Malgré le paragraphe (1), le gouverneur en conseil peut ordonner le paiement de versements intérimaires au titre de la distribution prévue au paragraphe (2) si, au vu d’un rapport de la Commission quant à l’effet produit sur sa situation financière par ce paiement, il est d’avis que celui-ci peut se faire sans perte. Interim payments (3) Despite subsection (1), if the Minister, having regard to a report by the Corporation of the effect on its financial position of an interim payment on account of the distribution of the balance referred to in subsection (2), is of the opinion that an interim payment can be made without loss, and the Minister of Finance concurs with the Minister’s opinion, the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, may authorize and direct that payment to be made. 1995, c. 31, s. 3; 1998, c. 17, s. 28(E) (3) Subsection 33(5) of the Act is replaced by the following: (3) Existing text of subsection 33(5): (5) The Corporation shall, with the approval of the Governor in Council, determine and fix the amounts to which producers are entitled per tonne according to grade under certificates issued pursuant to this Part so that each producer receives, in respect of wheat sold and delivered to the Corporation during each crop year for the same grade of wheat, the same price basis at a pooling point and that each price bears a proper price relationship to the price for each other grade. (3) Texte du paragraphe 33(5) : (5) Avec l’approbation du gouverneur en conseil, la Commission fixe les montants à verser aux producteurs, par tonne et selon le grade indiqué dans les certificats délivrés aux termes de la présente partie, selon le sens et l’intention véritables de la présente partie, ceux-ci étant que chaque producteur doit recevoir, pour le blé vendu et livré à la Commission au cours de chaque campagne agricole et pour le même grade de blé, le même prix, base un point de mise en commun, et que les prix applicables aux différents grades doivent être proportionnels. Determination of amounts (5) The Corporation shall, with the approval of the Minister and the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, determine and fix the amounts to which producers are entitled per tonne according to grade under certificates issued under this Part so that each producer receives, in respect of wheat sold and delivered to the Corporation during each crop year for the same grade of wheat, the same price basis at a pooling point and that each price bears a proper price relationship to the price for each other grade. 1998, c. 17, s. 28(E) 5. Section 34 of the Act is replaced by the following: Clause 5: Existing text of section 34: 34. In taking any action pursuant to section 32, 33 or 37 in respect of a grade of wheat, the Governor in Council or the Corporation may take that action in respect of any wheat within that grade that has an inherent quality characteristic that distinguishes it from any other wheat within that grade as if the wheat having that inherent quality characteristic were wheat of a different grade. Article 5 : Texte de l’article 34 : 34. Dans l’application des articles 32, 33 ou 37 à un grade de blé donné, le gouverneur en conseil ou la Commission peuvent considérer comme constituant un grade distinct le blé de ce grade qui se distingue du reste de celui-ci par des caractéristiques intrinsèques en terme de qualité. Action within grade 34. In taking any action under section 32, 33 or 37 in respect of a grade of wheat, the Governor in Council, the Corporation or the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, may take that action in respect of any wheat within that grade that has an inherent quality characteristic that distinguishes it from any other wheat within that grade as if the wheat having that inherent quality characteristic were wheat of a different grade. 1998, c. 17, s. 28(E) 6. The portion of section 38 of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following: Clause 6: Relevant portion of section 38: 38. The Governor in Council may authorize the Corporation to adjust its accounts at any time by transferring to the then current pool period all wheat delivered during a preceding pool period and then remaining unsold, and the Corporation shall credit to the accounts for that preceding pool period, and charge against the accounts for the current pool period, such amount as the Governor in Council deems to be a reasonable price for the wheat so transferred, and all wheat so transferred shall, Article 6 : Texte du passage visé de l’article 38 : 38. Le gouverneur en conseil peut autoriser la Commission à rectifier ses comptes en transférant à la période de mise en commun en cours le blé livré pendant une période antérieure et encore invendu; le cas échéant, le montant que la Commission doit porter au crédit des comptes de la période antérieure et au débit des comptes de la période en cours est fixé par le gouverneur en conseil selon ce qu’il estime être un prix raisonnable pour ce blé; le blé ainsi transféré est réputé : Transfer of wheat from one pool period to subsequent pool period 38. The Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, may authorize the Corporation to adjust its accounts at any time by transferring to the then current pool period all wheat delivered during a preceding pool period and then remaining unsold, and the Corporation shall credit to the accounts for that preceding pool period, and charge against the accounts for the current pool period, the amount that the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, deems to be a reasonable price for the wheat so transferred, and all wheat so transferred shall, 1998, c. 17, s. 28(E) 7. (1) The portion of subsection 39(1) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following: Clause 7: (1) Relevant portion of subsection 39(1): 39. (1) Where producers of any grain sold and delivered during a pool period have been for six years or more entitled to receive from the Corporation payments in respect thereof under certificates issued pursuant to this Act or out of an equalization fund, or otherwise, and there is an undistributed balance remaining in the accounts of the Corporation in respect of that grain, the Governor in Council may authorize the Corporation Article 7 : (1) Texte du passage visé du paragraphe 39(1) : 39. (1) Dans les cas où des producteurs des grains vendus et livrés au cours d’une période de mise en commun ont eu, pendant au moins six ans, le droit de recevoir de la Commission des paiements à cet égard, notamment au titre de certificats délivrés aux termes de la présente loi ou sur un fonds de péréquation, et qu’il subsiste un solde non distribué aux comptes de la Commission relatifs à ces grains, le gouverneur en conseil peut permettre à la Commission : Transfer of undistributed balances 39. (1) If producers of any grain sold and delivered during a pool period have been for six years or more entitled to receive from the Corporation payments in respect of that grain under certificates issued under this Act or out of an equalization fund, or otherwise, and there is an undistributed balance remaining in the accounts of the Corporation in respect of that grain, the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, may authorize the Corporation 1998, c. 17, s. 28(E) (2) Subsection 39(2) of the Act is replaced by the following: (2) Existing text of subsection 39(2): (2) Any balance transferred to the separate account pursuant to subparagraph (1)(a)(ii), other than such part thereof as is required for the payments referred to in paragraph (1)(b), shall be used for such purposes as the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Corporation, may deem to be for the benefit of producers. (2) Texte du paragraphe 39(2) : (2) Tout solde viré au compte distinct en conformité avec le sous-alinéa (1)a)(ii), à l’exclusion de la partie nécessaire aux paiements mentionnés à l’alinéa (1)b), doit servir aux fins que le gouverneur en conseil, sur recommandation de la Commission, estime être à l’avantage des producteurs. How transferred balances to be used (2) Any balance transferred to the separate account under subparagraph (1)(a)(ii), other than any part of it that is required for the payments referred to in paragraph (1)(b), shall be used for the purposes that the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance and on the recommendation of the Corporation, may deem to be for the benefit of producers. COORDINATING AMENDMENT 1998, c. 17 8. On the first day on which both paragraph 32(1)(b) of the Canadian Wheat Board Act, as enacted by subsection 18(1) of chapter 17 of the Statutes of Canada, 1998, and paragraph 32(1)(b) of the Canadian Wheat Board Act, as enacted by subsection 3(1) of this Act, are in force, paragraph 32(1)(b) of the Canadian Wheat Board Act is replaced by the following: (b) pay to producers selling and delivering wheat produced in the designated area to the Corporation, at the time of delivery or at any time after delivery that may be agreed on, a sum certain per tonne basis in storage at a pooling point to be fixed (i) initially, at the beginning of the pool period (A) by the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, in respect of wheat of a base grade, or (B) by the Corporation, with the approval of the Minister and the concurrence of the Minister of Finance, in respect of each other grade of wheat, and (ii) from time to time afterwards, by the Corporation; COMING INTO FORCE Order in council 9. (1) Section 2 comes into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council. Order in council (2) Sections 3 to 7 come into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council. Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada